The United States launched another wave of attacks on Iran on Wednesday, striking targets along the country’s southern coast and near the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran said it had responded with attacks on US military facilities across the Gulf.

CENTCOM said the operation included a 90-minute round of strikes. It had targeted coastal defence systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island, adding that the attacks had “degraded” Iran’s ability to hit commercial shipping in the strait.

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Sombre tidings from the south

Iranian officials said the strikes had caused civilian and military casualties in southern Iran.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said more than 30 civilians had been killed in recent attacks across the south. Iran’s Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said more than 260 people had been injured, with 222 already discharged after treatment.

At least seven Iranian soldiers were killed in the fresh wave of US strikes. Mohajerani said in a post on X, “While expressing our condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families, we honour the memory of the fallen” and added, “The government will stand by the people with all its might. The south of Iran is the beating heart of this land.”

The embers spread farther afield

Iranian state and military outlets also described damage at multiple locations. Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Hengam, Sirik and Bushehr, where air-defence systems were activated.

The Iranian army said 13 US missiles struck facilities at Bambour Garrison in Iranshahr, killing seven soldiers from the 388th Brigade and wounding several others.

It called the strikes “cowardly aggression” and said, “A decisive response will be given to this crime at the appropriate time” while alleging the missiles hit accommodation blocks, guard posts and a guesthouse.

The Bushehr governor said four sites in the western port city were hit, but no casualties were reported there.

How far could the US-Iran confrontation spread?

The confrontation widened further after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched overnight attacks on US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, claiming damage to the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, support facilities and fuel tanks in Bahrain, as well as a logistics hub in Kuwait.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted and shot down three Iranian ballistic missiles that entered its airspace early on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump said the attacks on Iran “will continue until I say enough” and added in a Fox News interview, “I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets.”

The strikes and Iran’s response came as both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire framework, while oil prices moved higher amid fears of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.

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FAQs

Q1: Why did the US launch fresh strikes on Iran?

The US said it targeted Iranian coastal defence systems and missile sites to reduce threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Q2: How many people were killed in the latest US strikes on Iran?

According to Iranian officials, at least 30 civilians and seven Iranian soldiers were killed in the latest wave of US air strikes.